Xiaomi is tackling a new market with its YU7 electric SUV. More upmarket than the SU7, it is aimed directly at Tesla and its Model Y. Its estimated price could seriously hurt the competition.
Xiaomi is no longer content with smartphones and tablets. After impressing with the SU7 electric sedan, the Chinese brand is preparing to launch its first family SUV: the YU7. This more spacious and more luxurious model was unveiled on May 22, with marketing scheduled for July. During the presentation, CEO Lei Jun put an end to a persistent rumor: no, it won't start at €27,600. The goal is clear: to position it as a more premium vehicle, without crushing its already well-established sedan.
But Xiaomi isn't giving up on its aggressive strategy just yet. The YU7 should remain well below the Tesla Model Y, which starts at around €36,400 in China. According to estimates from Car News China, the entry-level price could be around €34,100, with more equipped versions going up to €45,800. If this is confirmed, the manufacturer would be making a big splash. This high-tech SUV could cost barely more than a Renault 5 E-Tech, our small national electric city car. 
The YU7 would aim for an unbeatable price-to-equipment ratio compared to the Tesla Model Y
The YU7 is positioned as a connected family SUV and high-performance. It features a high-end interior, a panoramic dashboard called Hypervision, and an autonomous driving system supported by a 700 TOPS Lidar. Xiaomi wants to offer a real upgrade without crossing the €50,000 mark, an important psychological threshold for many buyers. If these estimated prices are confirmed, it could quickly become one of the most competitive models on the market.
The manufacturer hopes to build on the success of the SU7, which sold more than 320,000 units in less than a year. The launch of the YU7 should allow it to optimize production and strengthen Xiaomi's presence in the automotive industry. Forecasts already speak of 200,000 pre-orders in the first 24 hours. It remains to be seen whether the brand can keep up the pace in an increasingly fierce market.
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